Find the folders that eat your disk with a fast, interactive terminal browser. 16.11.2025 | reading time: 2 min Ncdu is an ncurses-based disk-usage analyzer that shows where disk space goes and lets the administrator act interactively; run it when a partition fills up and he needs answers fast. Disk detective in action Use ncdu on the affected mount to find large trees; for example, run the scan and inspect results as follows: ``` sudo ncdu -x /srv Scanning... Please wait --- /srv 8.7 GiB [##########] site_backups 1.2 GiB [### ] logs 0.4 GiB [# ] tmp 0.0 GiB [ ] public_html (Use arrow keys to navigate, Enter to descend, d to delete, q to quit) ``` Practical options and safety Start scans with `sudo` for system paths and use `-x` to stay on one filesystem so mounted volumes do not pollute results; export a scan to a file before deleting if needed, and remember that interactive deletion with the "d" key removes files immediately, so back up critical data first. Where ncdu helps most Run ncdu on servers with large backup trees, mailstores, or log directories, use it inside containers or chroots to inspect limited views, and combine it with scheduled scans to spot growth trends before services fail. Tools that pair well Pair ncdu with simple commands for context: use `df` to find the full device, use `du -sh` for scripted summaries, and use `find` to pinpoint files by age or size before mass cleanup. Next steps for mastery Practice on nonproduction data: scan a mounted image, record the output, and script a recurring check; mastering ncdu is a compact, high-return skill on the path toward sysadmin certification, so explore deeper topics and consider formal training at bitsandbytes.academy to prepare for CompTIA Linux+ or LPIC-1. Join Bits & Bytes Academy First class LINUX exam preparation. filesystem utilities storage troubleshooting backup
